The final matches have been decided in the fours and blue-ribbon singles at the Asia Pacific Championships, with great news for the host nation.

In a show of dominance, most of the afternoon’s games were won convincingly.

In the women’s fours Australia defeated Japan in the closest game of the afternoon.  After nine ends the score was tied 7-7 but glory went to Australia after they prevailed 19-10.

In the other women’s fours semi-final the veteran powerhouses New Zealand booked their berth in the final with a 30-4 victory over Canada.  Canadian coach Lachlan Tighe pointed out earlier this morning – the team is guaranteed to claim the medals, the colour difference will just icing on the cake for this team.

The women’s fours final on Sunday morning will be between Australia and New Zealand

The men’s fours were also solid victories for Australia over Canada 27-11 and to New Zealand over Malaysia 21-8.  

Mens’s fours final on Sunday morning will be Australia v New Zealand

In the blue ribbon events – the singles Bret Wilkie had a comprehensive win over Fiji’s Ratish Lal 21-7 – a bittersweet victory after Lal defeated Wilkie to give him his only loss of the heats in round one.

World number three Safuan Said of Malaysia proved too strong for China’s Terence Lee with a 21-14 win in the other semi final this afternoon.

Men’s singles final on Sunday afternoon will now feature world number two Brett Wilkie from Australia against world number three Safuan Said of Malaysia

In the women’s singles the battle of the day between Australia’s Kelsey Cottrell and Norfolk Island’s Carmen Anderson saw the 21 year old youngster Cottrell defeat Anderson 21-16.  With the score at 18-16 toward the end of the game Cottrell showed that though she may not have the experience of Anderson, she is and will remain a force to be reckoned with.

In the second women’s singles semi-final match, world number five Sita Zalina Binti Ahmad, from Malaysia, proved too strong for Fiji’s  Lita Tikoisuva  with a win of 21-11

 Australia will play Malaysia in the final on Sunday afternoon

After day one of the finals series and with the nominees for four gold medals now decided, the host nation is sitting comfortably in all four of the disciplines.

“We have some strong competition out there against the other finalists,” Australian coach Steve Glasson said.

“It’s baby steps at the moment with some strong challenges ahead.

“With the weather looking like changing tomorrow for the other quarter and semi finals our focus is now on those games before we look to the finals.”


THE FINALS SERIES PLAYOFFS ON FRIDAY DECEMBER 9 AT LOCKLEYS
QUARTER FINALS 9AM - SEMI FINALS 2PM

Men’s Pairs

POOL1                            POOL 2
1.    Australia                    1.Canda
2.    Hong Kong                2. New Zealand
3.    Fiji                            3. Philippines

Hong Kong v Fiji – winner to play Australia in the semis
New Zealand v Philippines – winner to play Canada in the semis

Women’s pairs

POOL1                            POOL 2
1.    Philippines                    1. Australia
2.    Malaysia                       2. Norfolk Island
3.    Hong Kong                   3. New Zealand

Hong Kong v Malaysia – winner to play Philippines in the semis
Norfolk Island v New Zealand – winner to play Australia in the semis

Men’s Triples

POOL1                            POOL 2
1.    Australia                    1. New Zealand
2.    Hong Kong                2. Malaysia
3.    Fiji                            3. USA

Hong Kong v Fiji – winner to play New Zealand in the semis
Malaysia v USA – winner to play Australia in the semis

Women’s Triples

POOL1                            POOL 2
4.    New Zealand                 1. Australia
5.    Philippines                    2. Brunei
6.    Singapore                    3. Norfolk Island

Singapore v Brunei – winner to play Australia in the semis
Philippines v Norfolk Island – winner to play New Zealand

FINAL MATCHES TO BE PLAYED SATURDAY AND SUNDAY